berkinet

Our local CERT group is considering upgrading some of our (GMRS) radios and are looking at the Motorola/Vertex EVX-S24 and VX-264. Model numbers EVX-S24-G6-3 and VX-264-G7-5. Both radios seem suitable for our needs and the VX264 looks a bit more attractive with 5 watts output and a slightly lower price point on the used market. However, the EVX-S24 is available in Yellow which is something to consider for our application. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has direct experience with these radios, or some good information to help us decide if we should get a couple of radios for testing. Any thoughts welcomed.

I think it would be best if members of this forum kept their political views to themselves and stuck to the topics this board was created to support.

Yes. I have seen some on Amazon that claim up to two watts on 22 channels. However, I was wondering what regulation you were citing in your comment that it would be illegal to speak Spanish on FRS? There is a requirement that GMRS station IDs be made in English or Morse code. But, the only other reference I can find to language in Part95 is in subpart-A - General Rules for the Personal Radio Services Plain language voice communications. Voice communications without codes or coded messages intended to provide a hidden meaning. Foreign languages and commonly known radio operating words and phrases, such as “ten four” and “roger,” not intended to provide a hidden meaning, are not considered codes or coded messages.

I believe that is marketing-speak for: The supplier of the CCRs we use has proposed a change in the software we use in the products we OEM from them

Well, sort of. Very basically, in a cellular mobile system there are multiple cells (receiver/transmitter) sites, all linked back to a point of control and attachment to the PSTN (Public Switched Téléphone Network). As the incoming signal strength changes, the mobile phone is directed to change frequency to connect to another cell with better reception.

Not really. The term “voting system” usually refers to a repeater with multiple receivers and the ability to select the receiver (vote) with the strongest input signal. The receivers are typically geographically diverse and linked back to the repeater.

Many repeaters can be set to recognize and send more than one tone or type of tone. So, contact the repeater owner and ask - very nicely - if they might be able to do something to accommodate your limitation. BTW, if it is possible to do something, iit wouldn’t hurt to offer a small donation in return.

Yes. bluemax49ers is trustworthy, builds high quality cables and stands behind his work. Totally recommend.

Perhaps you might put together a small presentation or document explaining the roles of ARES, RACES and REACT. By demonstrating what is unique about each group's organisation and functions you can make clear how REACT compliments, rather than competes with the two other organisations. I would also suggest not focusing on GMRS in relation to REACT. REACT is pretty non-denominational (in a radio service sense) and GMRS being just one of the services it can use (Others being CB, HAM, MURS, and even licensed business bands/Part 90). By pushing GMRS you run the risk of starting parochial wars, particularly with hams or people who work closely with hams. As for finding a site. It seems you are looking for an official or commercial radio site. Have you tried other locations like office buildings, apartment houses, even private homes. There are online tools for doing site surveys and they can help you find sites that may not be otherwise obvious. Have you tried Radio Mobile. Should you be unable to find a non-commercial site that covers your entire service area, you might consider using two linked repeaters - though this would add complexity and cost. However, I'd suggest even a less than perfect site may be better than none at all. It would give a focus to the group that would otherwise not be available. Also, while the goal would be for wide-area H/T coverage. I think you will find that base station installations, or even just external fixed antennas with an H/T will greatly increase the coverage footprint allowing greater participation, even if the system is a bit less than ideal.

You posted a request about help selecting a radio, to which I responded. If you don't want to hear what other people have to say, don't post. My point was, if you are willing to consider Part 90 radios, there are a lot to choose from. If you don't want an M1225, the CDM1550 is newer and there are a lot of them on eBay. They will outperform a cheap CCR (and the Midlands are exactly that at inside) long after the CCRs have died. However, if you don't like Motorola, try Kenwood. They are solid radios and easier to get software for. Just search the forum, there are dozens of posts on the Kenwood radios. But, suit yourself.

If you are considering the Icom IC-2730A, why not look at the F6021? Neither radio is certified for GMRS and the IC-2730A is not even certified for Part 90 (it is certified Part 15 only). In other words, if you are willing to look at non-GMRS certified radios, there is a huge world of possibilities out there, including used quality professional equipment (eBay). Specifically, search these forums on Kenwood (including some Part 95E certified radios) and Motorola.

I can't comment on the UV50Xx radios since I've never used one. However, I can comment on the importance (or lack thereof) of power ratings. While overall output power is certainly a factor in a radio, the actual accuracy of the power rating it is probably not the number one factor. A difference of 18 watts is less than a 2db difference. You can probably improve your transmission AND reception by at least 2db by using better coax and a better antenna placed in a better location (I.e.usually a taller mast). Also, even if the radio output the full 50 watts, is it on channel or spread across a wide frequency range with lots of spurious emissions. Personally, before worrying too much about power, I'd want to make sure the transmitter was clean, on frequency and within the expected bandwidth (wide or narrow) and I'd pay close attention to the receiver, particularly weak signal detection and adjacent channel rejection. I'd also make sure the radio had the operational features I needed, was easily programmable, had any external interfaces I might want and had decent build quality. But, back to the power issue, one thing to check is your power meter. If you are using a low-cost "CB meter" you will not get accurate readings at 460mHz. However, a radio failing at the get-go would seem to indicate possible quality issues. UPDATE: You might want to look at the Amazon negative comments (15%) on the UV-50X2

Many repeaters offer three choices for PL (etc.) output: a) generate the selected tone on the output. pass the received tone through to the output (usually about 3db down). c) filter out the received tone altogether. Depending on the radio and the programming/settings interface, you might be able to combine some of the above options. For example, pass-through received PL and add another PL on output. Or filter out the received PL and add again on the output. YMMV

Well, we all probably owe a lot to Marcus Aurelius. but, that's not me . Just a quote in my signature. On the other hand, given the statement I quoted, you might also be, to some perspective, correct.

I cannot answer definitely. However, I would seriously doubt it. I believe part of the "price" associated with the privilage of having a radio license is having the license holder's information publicly available. Of course, people do use P.O. Boxes and business addresses rather than their home address. So, some level of anonymity is possible.

That is the big question. There are those who claim/believe, based on FCC communications outside of Part95E, and on, what they see as "implied," statements within Part95E that any Part90 approved radio may be legally used on GMRS. Others, say that is not the case. However, one thing everyone seems to agree on is that nobody has ever been cited for using Part90 equipment on GMRS and that such enforcement is unlikely, especially if the radio is operating within original specifications.

Well, I'm not sure when @RCM last studied for a ham exam, but, I'd be pretty sure the laws of physics haven't changed in the meantime. According to the Wikipedia

It seems to me the key difference here (between The Midland and Kenwood products) is a case of consumer grade vs. professional grade. For many users a consumer grade product is actually superior. While they may lack some features, they tend to be easy to use (largely because many features and options have been locked out or removed). On the other hand, professional grade products tend to be more reliable and have fewer operational problems... once they are set up. Setting aside the issues of split PL and lack of wide-band support on the Midland radios, which may not affect most users anyway, it really comes down to a question of how much radio you need vs. how much time and money you are willing to invest. Personally, I prefer Motorola equipment. But, if someone finds Kenwood products difficult to set up and maintain, Motorola is beyond their reach.

Signal propagation can be affected by many things at UHF frequencies: multi-path distortion (signal reflection from buildings and land features), foliage, even the curve of the earth. In most cases, those things will degrade the signal. But, they can also help as well. Besides the radio itself, other factors that may affect the signal are adjacent channel interference, feed-line, antenna, antenna placement, even weather.

GMRS power output is defined as transmitter output power, not ERP. Go have fun with your beam, or even a beam array.

To (mis)quote the Who... Henry can you hear me? and, welcome to the forum.

Just FYI. Note the OP has not checked in since his original post. (Something that seems to, sadly, happen all too often on this forum.)

I do not have personal experience with Draka brand coax. Though, I’d assume it is probably as good as most coax in the market. However, anyone who does have personal experience will need to know the information you just provided to respond to your request, that’s why I asked.

Draka has a lot of coax products. Which ones in particular were you interested in? https://www.drakauc.com/products/multimedia-specials/coaxial-cables-2/

In addition to the issues noted above, I would expect the battery configuration was chosen to reflect the allowed power. If power was raised (if it even could be) to the degree it would make a practical difference, battery life would be likely to suffer dramatically.